Germination and dessication of Hancornia speciosa Gomes seeds

Abstract

The aim of this work was describe the germination and evaluate the desiccation and reduction in desiccation-sensitivity of Hancornia speciosa Gomes seeds. Initially, we evaluated the germination characteristics and morphophysiological aspects of seedlings. The seeds in the first experiment were subjected to fast desiccation (activated silica gel) and slow desiccation (laboratory conditions) until the water content reached 40%, 30%, 20%, and 15% ± 2%. To reduce the desiccation sensitivity, in the second experiment, the seeds were soaked in polyethylene glycol (PEG) at potentials of -0.1 and -0.3 MPa for 120 h, with or without abscisic acid (ABA) (10^-4µM), and subsequently subjected to fast desiccation until a water content of 15% was reached, based on the results from the first experiment. The seed vigor in both experiments was evaluated by the primary root protrusion tests, percentage of normal seedlings, germination speed index, length and mass (shoot, underground, and total). Seedlings of H. speciosa feature a stem-like xylopodium structure. The seeds were tolerant to water reduction up to 15% by fast desiccation and 30% by slow desiccation. Moreover, priming was not efficient in reducing the desiccation sensitivity of H. speciosa seeds.